MOSCOW, November 14. /TASS/. Next year will decide a great deal in the Ukrainian conflict, Andrey Yermak, head of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s office, said.

"The next year will be decisive [in the Ukrainian conflict]," he said, speaking at the Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C.

According to Yermak, Ukraine will also face a tough winter. He pointed out that Kiev "needs weapons right now," especially air defense systems. Meanwhile, the head of the presidential office assured that the Ukrainian authorities "can and do account for every defense item" received from the West.

Earlier, Yermak compared the Ukrainian conflict to a 100-meter race. In his opinion, Kiev "has covered 70% of the distance." He also noted that the conflict’s most difficult times were still ahead for Ukraine.